As millions of devotees continue to flock to Prayagraj for the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela, the city is grappling with severe traffic congestion, preventing many from reaching the Triveni Sangam—the sacred confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers—in time for their holy dip. In response to the overwhelming crowd, the Prayagraj Sangam railway station has been temporarily shut until February 14.

The situation has drawn sharp criticism from opposition leaders, with Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav taking a swipe at the Uttar Pradesh government for its handling of the event. Yadav expressed concerns over the plight of stranded devotees, stating, "The hungry, thirsty, distressed, and exhausted pilgrims stuck in traffic jams should be viewed with compassion. Are common devotees not human beings?"

On Sunday, long queues of vehicles choked Sangam Road as authorities imposed barricades to regulate movement. The stretch, which connects to Civil Lines, offers alternative routes such as the Shastri Bridge for those attempting to reach Triveni Sangam. However, congestion has reached an unprecedented scale, with reports from Madhya Pradesh’s Maihar indicating a 200-300 km traffic jam leading toward Prayagraj.

Since the commencement of the Maha Kumbh on January 13, over 43 crore devotees have taken a dip at the Sangam. The sheer influx has exacerbated logistical challenges, leading Yadav to urge the government to take immediate remedial measures. He also proposed making all vehicles toll-free across Uttar Pradesh during the Kumbh to ease travel woes. "When films can be exempted from entertainment tax, why can’t vehicles be made toll-free?" he questioned.

The traffic snarls have extended far beyond Prayagraj’s boundaries. Reports indicate heavy congestion in Nawabganj, located 30 km before Prayagraj on the Lucknow route, a 16 km jam at Gauhania on the Rewa road, and a 12-15 km jam on the route from Varanasi. Further, images of overcrowded trains have surfaced, with some passengers struggling to even find space in locomotive engines.

"The Uttar Pradesh government has failed. It exists only in boastful advertisements but is absent on the ground where it matters," Yadav remarked.

In light of the situation, Northern Railway authorities have implemented crowd-control measures at Prayagraj Junction. Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Kuldeep Tiwari explained that due to heavy congestion outside Prayagraj Sangam station, authorities decided to shut it down temporarily. Meanwhile, the North Central Railway has introduced a one-way traffic system at Prayagraj Junction, allowing entry only from the city side (Platform No. 1) and exit through Civil Lines.

Passengers without reservations will be directed through designated shelters based on their travel routes, according to North Central Railway Senior Public Relations Officer Amit Malviya.

Meanwhile, pilgrims caught in the chaos have voiced frustration over the mismanagement. A group from Faridabad recounted a 24-hour journey to reach Prayagraj, while a Jaipur-based family was stuck for hours on a mere 4 km stretch. Ram Kripal, a devotee from Rae Bareli, described being stranded in a traffic jam for five hours before Phaphamau on the Lucknow-Prayagraj highway. He eventually abandoned his vehicle in Bela Kachhar and continued his journey to Sangam Ghat on foot.

With devotees continuing to arrive in massive numbers, authorities face mounting pressure to implement effective traffic management solutions to prevent further disruptions.